Sprayer and system for controlled spraying

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for spraying a liquid into the atmosphere includes a container ( 1 ) for containing the liquid ( 2 ), having at least one outlet ( 3 ) for the liquid to be expelled outside the container, the outlet being located above the liquid, a device generating ( 4 ) a gas stream for expelling the liquid outside the container, a vaporizer ( 5 ) that vaporizes the liquid in the gas stream, a sprayer ( 6 ) that sprays the vaporized liquid and that includes a column with baffles located downstream of the vaporizer, the vaporizer and the sprayer being integral with a body ( 7 ) that is removably mounted on the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatuses which permit a liquid to besprayed into the atmosphere, comprising a container, which is intendedto contain the liquid and has at least one outlet for the liquid to beexpelled from the container, the outlet being situated above the liquid,means for generating a gaseous stream to expel the liquid from thecontainer, means for vaporising the liquid in the gaseous stream, andmeans for spraying the vaporised liquid. Hereinafter, vaporisation isunderstood to mean the transformation of a liquid into fine droplets andthe possible change thereof into the gaseous state, and spraying isunderstood to mean the transformation of the fine droplets obtained byvaporisation into very fine droplets.

Such apparatuses may be used as a simple product diffuser, or theypermit scents to be diffused into the atmosphere when the liquidcontained in the container is a fragrant liquid, in any place, dependingon the wish or the needs of the user, more especially in the laboratory,to study the effect of the scent on the behaviour of individuals or thecomposition of the scents, in marketing agencies in order to ensure thepromotion of a product, in supermarkets in order to influence theconsumption of products, in any place to ensure that the place smellssweetly, etc. Uses of this type of apparatus in aromatherapy can also beenvisaged.

Prior art discloses, more especially with the document EP 0 608 176, aspray of the type described above. The spray comprises a containercontaining the liquid to be sprayed, to the base of which is secured aninlet tube for the gaseous stream. The tube traverses the liquid in thecontainer and is provided with a venturi at its upper end above theliquid, a venturi to which is laterally connected a suction duct for theliquid. The upper part of the container is extended by a distillationchamber, intended to reduce the dimension of the liquid droplets insuspension in the gaseous stream downstream of the venturi, and this isin order to diffuse a mist of very fine droplets at the spray outlet.

Such a spray operates well, but it has disadvantages which can greatlylimit the possibilities of use thereof. In effect, the liquid iscontained in a container which forms a body with the spray and at thebase of which the venturi is secured, and this does not confer greatflexibility of use. Such a configuration, moreover, leads to difficultyin cleaning the parts which make up the spray, particularly thecontainer, more especially when it is desirable to use a differentproduct, and a high cost of manufacture. Also, it is not easy to refillthe container with spray product each time it is empty.

With the document EP 0 655 282, an apparatus is also known for sprayingfragrant liquid, in which the liquid to be sprayed is situated in anexchangeable cartridge, which is disposable when it is empty. Here, itis the exchangeable cartridge which contains the venturi intended tovaporise the liquid. This type of spray may permit the disadvantages ofthe difficult refilling and cleaning of the spray previously describedto be overcome. However it remains very onerous in use, since thecartridge, which is changed on every product refill, contains elaboratetechnical devices, more especially the venturi. In addition, since thiscartridge is intended for single use, the spraying means which itcontains cannot be as effective as those of an apparatus for which theyare intended to be worn out over the lifetime of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes to overcome these disadvantages, and toprovide other advantages. More precisely, it comprises an apparatuswhich permits a liquid to be sprayed into the atmosphere, comprising:

a container, which is intended to contain said liquid and has at leastone outlet for the liquid to be expelled from said container, saidoutlet being situated above said liquid,

means for generating a gaseous stream to expel said liquid from saidcontainer,

means for vaporising said liquid in said gaseous stream, and

means for spraying the vaporised liquid, comprising a column which isprovided with baffles and is situated downstream of the vaporisingmeans,

characterised in that said vaporising means and said spraying means areintegral with a body capable of being engaged and maintained in adetachable manner in said outlet of the container, said body including aduct for expelling the liquid from the container.

The apparatus according to the invention permits a simple container tobe used to contain the liquid to be sprayed, said container beingprovided with an outlet which advantageously serves both for refillingand for expelling the liquid. Such a container may be of the bottletype, in the upper outlet of which will be situated the body containing,more especially, the spraying and vaporising means. Thus, the containerwill advantageously be able to be discarded when it is empty, withminimum production and operating costs, since this container will beable to be formed from the only means necessary to retain liquid inside,namely an air-tight envelope. Moreover, the apparatus according to theinvention provides great flexibility and ease of use by this design. Thevaporising and spraying means, re-used on each change of bottle, permitthese means to be appropriately sophisticated, if necessary. The columnprovided with baffles permits the liquid to be sprayed to bemicro-diffused, by virtue of the extreme fineness of the dropletsobtained, which is necessary to permit a good suspension of the liquidsprayed into the atmosphere, low liquid consumption and better resultsin the matter of scent diffusion in the atmosphere, for example.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the vaporising meanscomprise a venturi.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the column comprises aplurality of inclined walls which form baffles on which said vaporisedliquid comes to lodge, and the inclined walls form an angle, greaterthan 90°, with the longitudinal flow direction of the stream, so as toavoid a reverse flow of said stream.

According to another advantageous characteristic, said inclined wallseach include a hole for the passage of the stream, the respective holesof two successive walls being offset.

According to another advantageous characteristic, said hole assumes theform of a venturi.

According to another advantageous characteristic, two successiveinclined walls are symmetrical relative to a plane which isperpendicular to the longitudinal flow direction of the stream.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the means forgenerating a gaseous stream to expel the liquid from the containercomprise a flow accelerator situated downstream of the spraying means.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the flow acceleratorcomprises a fluid flow, which envelops said gaseous stream and thesprayed liquid downstream of the spraying means.

According to an alternative to the preceding characteristic, said flowaccelerator comprises a fluid flow conveyed in an axial manner into aventuri-type duct, which includes a tapering part followed by acylindrical part, said gaseous stream and the sprayed liquid beingintroduced laterally into said cylindrical part of said venturi-typeduct.

The invention also relates to a system which permits the spraying of aliquid into the atmosphere to be controlled, characterised in that itcomprises at least:

one apparatus, which permits a liquid to be sprayed into the atmosphereaccording to the invention,

one gas sensor, which permits measurement of the concentration of theliquid sprayed into the atmosphere, and

means for controlling the operation of said apparatus in dependence onat least one predetermined input command and on said measurementprovided by said gas sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages will become apparent on reading thefollowing description of an example of an embodiment of an apparatus anda system according to the invention, together with the accompanyingdrawings, such an example being given by way of illustration and withoutany restrictive interpretation of the invention being able to be derivedtherefrom.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first example of anembodiment of an apparatus which permits a liquid to be sprayed into theatmosphere, according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second example of anembodiment of an enlarged detail of the apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the whole of a system which permits thespraying of a liquid into the atmosphere to be controlled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, the apparatus which permits a liquid to be sprayed into theatmosphere, or spray, comprises a container 1, intended to contain theliquid 2 to be sprayed, the container 1 having an outlet 3 for expellingthe liquid from the container, the outlet 3 being situated above theliquid 2, means 4 for generating a gaseous stream to expel the liquid 2from the container 1, means 5 for vaporising the liquid 2 in the gaseousstream, and means 6 for spraying the vaporised liquid.

The vaporising means 5 and the spraying means 6 are integral with a body7 capable of being engaged and maintained in a detachable manner in theoutlet 3 of the container 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the body 7containing a duct 8 for expelling the liquid 2 from the container 1.

The container may advantageously be formed by a bottle 1 for packagingthe product to be sprayed. For this purpose, the single outlet 3 of thebottle 1 serves for refilling and expelling the liquid 2, and willcontain an air-tight stopper (not illustrated), used for packaging theproduct, this stopper being removed to engage the body 7 in the outlet.The bottle 1 will advantageously be rigid or semi-rigid, so as to permitthe body 7 to be maintained in the engaged position in the outlet 3. Forthis purpose, the body 7 will have, at one of the ends thereof, a form14, which is capable of coming into engagement on the upper part of thebottle 1 comprising the outlet 3. For example, the form 14 will be ableto include, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a tube 15, maintaining contact inthe outlet 3 or on the flange 17 of the bottle by force-fitting or by ahelically threaded assembly (not illustrated) or the like and, ifnecessary, an additional abutment 16, resting on the upper part of thebottle 1 or of the flange 17 thereof. The form 14 of the body 7 willobviously be adapted to that of the container 1 which is used, with aview to assembling these two elements. The container 1 or the body 7will contain any venting means which permits the liquid in the body tobe emptied from the container by suction, as described hereinafter.

The body 7 will be hollow in order to accommodate the vaporising andspraying means, as explained later, and will have to permit, on the onehand, the liquid 2 to be sucked up via its lower part through the outlet3 of the bottle 1 and, on the other hand, to permit the gaseous streamcontaining the sprayed liquid to emerge via its upper part. The body 7will be formed from a rigid material, for example steel or plasticsmaterial, and will advantageously be made up of two parts 19 and 20,which are detachable from each other in order to facilitate access tothe interior of the body 7. In the example of FIG. 1, the body 7 assumesthe form of a tube in two parts, a lower part 19 containing, at thelower end thereof, the form 14 already described to connect with acontainer, and an upper part 20, for example threaded (not illustrated)or force-fitted onto the lower part 19, which contains, at the upper endthereof, an opening 21 through which the liquid sprayed in the gaseousstream emerges.

The means for generating a gaseous stream to expel the liquid 2 from thebottle 1 comprise a pump 4, which delivers a discharge of gas conveyedtowards the body 7 by means of a conduit 18, as will be explained laterwith a description of the vaporising means. The gas used will depend onthe use of the spray, and will advantageously be the ambient air in thecase of scent diffusion from a fragrant liquid 2, as illustrated in theexample.

The means for vaporising the liquid 2 in the gaseous streamadvantageously comprise a venturi 5 situated, for example, in thelongitudinal axis 23 of the body 7, in the lower part thereof, butadvantageously secured to the upper part 20 by means of a plate 35 andscrews 34, for example, in order to form an upper body part 7 which iscompact and contains the means for vaporising and spraying the liquid.Thus, the lower part 19 of the body has the simple function ofsupporting the form 14 which permits the body 7 to be connected to thecontainer 1. In the event of a change in the shape of the container 1,only the lower detachable part 19 of the body 7 will have to bereplaced.

The plate 35 for securing the venturi 5 will advantageously contain atleast one through-passage 36, which permits the liquid, which has beeninsufficiently vaporised and which would not be drawn into the sprayingmeans 6 because the weight of the droplets is too great, to returndownwardly by gravity, upstream of the spraying means, into thecontainer 1 through the outlet 3. The passage 36 may, for example, beformed from at least one hole situated in the low part of the plate 35.

The conduit 18 conveys the air stream into the body 7 as far as thelower end 22 of the venturi 5, by passing through the upper end 24 ofthe body 7 along the longitudinal axis 23 of this body into the upperpart 20, which contains the spraying means situationed above thevaporising means, then continuing, in an offset manner, into the lowerpart 19 of the body 7, in order that the conduit 18 may be replaced inthe longitudinal axis 23 of the body 7, while directing the air streamtowards the upper end 24 of the body 7, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It isto be noted that the conduit 18 could penetrate into the body 7 andfollow a path of a different manner to that previously described. Thefunction of the conduit 18 is, in fact, to convey the air stream to theinlet of the venturi 5, in order to create a low pressure on theinternal wall of this venturi on which terminates a duct 25, the otherend 26 of which is immersed in the liquid 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1.The liquid 2 is thereby sucked into the venturi 5 and vaporised in theair stream upwardly in the direction of the spraying means. A lateralinlet of the conduit 18 into the body 7 may be effected, for example, inan alternative manner, for example in the lower part 19 thereof (notillustrated).

The spraying means comprise a column 6 with baffles, situated downstreamof the venturi 5, to spray the vaporised liquid 2, i.e. above theventuri 5, depending on the layout, along a vertical axis of the meansillustrated in FIG. 1. The venturi 5 permits the liquid 2 to bevaporised into fine droplets in the air stream, and the column 6 withthe baffles permits these fine droplets to be split into particles of asize in the order of a few micrometers, suitable for better diffusion ofthe liquid in the atmosphere into which it is expelled through theoutlet 21 of the body 7 downstream of the column 6. For this, the column6 advantageously comprises a plurality of inclined walls 9, situatedsubstantially one above the other and forming baffles on which thediphasic flow comes to lodge, moving generally from bottom to top, i.e.the liquid vaporised in the gaseous stream, the inclined walls 9 formingan angle α, greater than 90°, with the longitudinal direction 10 of theflow, so as to prevent a reverse flow of this liquid between the impactzone of the diphasic flow on a wall and the hole through which thisliquid passes to the following wall. The angle α will preferably bebetween 95° and 135°, for example substantially equal to 105°, as in theexample illustrated in FIG. 1. The value of the angle α is dependent onthe size of the particles which it is desirable to obtain at the outletof the spray; the nearer the angle α is to 90°, the finer are theparticles of sprayed liquid, and the further it is from 90°, the morethe flow of the stream is improved and the larger are the particles. Themovement from bottom to top of the liquid vaporised in the gaseousstream, then that of the diphasic flow in the column with baffles,permits gravity to be used to prevent the liquid droplets, which are notsufficiently fine relative to the use for which the spray apparatusaccording to the invention is intended, from being drawn towards theoutlet at any point and, on the contrary, to direct these droplets inthe direction of the liquid container where they may thus follow, onceagain, the full circuit of vaporising and spraying, or a partial circuitof spraying in the case of partial return into the spraying means.

Each wall 9 may, for example, be supported by a tubular connection 27,which has an external configuration complementary to the internalconfiguration of the upper part 20 of the body 7, thereby permitting theexternal surface of the tubular connection 27 to be fitted edge-to-edgeon the internal surface of the upper part 20 of the body 7 and the walls9 to be stacked in a useful manner, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Aplurality of walls 9, thus provided with their own tubular connection,for example 4 walls, may be stacked one on top of the other in order toproduce the column with baffles 6, the wall 9 and its tubular connection27 being inscribed in an upright cylinder in the example illustrated.

Each inclined wall 9 will advantageously contain a hole 11 for thediphasic flow to pass therethrough, the respective holes 11 of twosuccessive walls 9 being offset, so as to ensure an impact of the flowon the following wall without directly traversing the hole 11. The hole11, for example, will be cylindrical, of circular or oblongcross-section, and will be situated on the wall substantially in thezone most downstream from the impact of the flow on this wall, in thelongitudinal flow direction 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The wall ofthe hole 11 will preferably be non-tangential to the internal wall ofthe tubular connection 27 and will be slightly recessed towards thelongitudinal axis 23 of the body 7, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The holes of two successive walls 9 will be able to be symmetricallyopposed relative to the longitudinal axis 23 of the body 7, anddiametrically opposed in the case of a body of circular cross-section.The holes 11 will alternatively be able to be disposed so that thediphasic flow in the column 6 through the holes 11 assumes a generalprofile which is substantially helical, the holes being angularly offsetin the same direction of rotation according to a predetermined step, forexample regular.

In the configuration of two successive holes 11, symmetrically opposedrelative to the longitudinal axis 23 of the body 7, two successiveinclined walls 9 will be able to be symmetrical relative to a plane 12perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 10 of the flow, asillustrated in FIG. 1, this being in order to permit the diphasic flowto be regular.

Advantageously, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the holes 11 for the flow topass from one wall 9 to the following wall will assume a venturi-typestructure containing a tapering part 50 followed by a cylindrical part51. It is to be noted that, in FIG. 2, the elements fulfilling afunction similar to that of elements in FIG. 1, bear the same referencenumeral. The venturi-type hole 11 here permits the output of the spraycolumn to be increased and contributes towards optimising the splittingof the particles to increase the homogeneity factor of the particles fora given particle size. Starting from the second wall in the direction offlow after the venturi 5, the column 6 advantageously comprises, beloweach wall 9, a funnel 52 which permits the liquid not drawn into thediphasic flow to be collected by gravity, and to convey it into theventuri-type hole 11 according to two alternatives, which are describedbelow.

The first alternative (not illustrated) consists in the lowest part of afunnel 52 being connected to the outlet of the hole 11 situatedupstream, so that the liquid drained by the funnel 52 flows by gravityinto the hole 11 and is thereby returned to the diphasic flow at theoutlet of the hole. A second alternative consists in the outlet of thehole 11, situated upstream, rising above the low part of the funnel 52,and a duct 53 being provided in the base of the funnel 52 conveying thecondensed liquid into the hole 11 and, more particularly, into thecylindrical part of the hole 11, as illustrated in FIG. 2. This secondalternative is particularly effective for viscous liquids, since itpermits the liquid to be reliably vaporised in the hole 11 by theventuri effect. The funnels and ducts 53 permit the baffles to avoidbecoming clogged by an accumulation of product, should the occasionarise.

The spray column illustrated in FIG. 2 advantageously comprises wedges54 of a thickness which permits the distance separating the outlet of ahole 11 from the following wall 9 to be adjusted, and this is with theaim of ensuring that the granulometry of the liquid particles isregulated. Generally, the distance between the venturi 5 and the firstwall 9, and the distances between the outlet of a hole 11 and thefollowing wall, will preferably decrease in the direction of the flow,and this is in order to help to optimise the reaction for splitting theliquid droplets. Jointly with the decrease in the distances definedabove, the diameters of the holes 11 for the passage of the flow willpreferably also be decreasing from the hole 11 of the first wall 9 tothe hole of the last wall in the direction of flow.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, and in order to facilitate the manufacture ofthe ducts 53, the column 6 may comprise an element 55, interposedrespectively between two successive walls 9 and supporting the funnel52. One element 55 will advantageously be situated above the last wall 9in the direction of flow.

The spray column illustrated in FIG. 2 could be inserted into the body 7of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, for example. It is to be notedthat the passage for the supply conduit 18 of the gaseous stream to theventuri has not been illustrated in FIG. 2. Moreover, it is to be notedthat the two successive holes 11 have been aligned in order to reducethe effects of the spray column, according to requirements.

The gaseous stream, containing the liquid 2 sprayed at the outlet fromthe last wall 9 of the column 6, is then expelled from the spray throughthe opening 21 at the top of the body 7. The opening 21 may be providedwith a simple nozzle 28 if need be, fixed or directional depending onrequirements.

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises means 4 for generating agaseous stream to expel the liquid 2 from the container 1 as describedabove, which means additionally and advantageously contain a flowaccelerator 13, situated downstream of the spraying means 6 and, moreparticularly, downstream of the opening 21 of the body 7, as illustratedin FIG. 1. The flow accelerator 13 preferably comprises a fluid flowwhich envelops the gaseous stream and the sprayed liquid, emerging fromthe nozzle 28.

The accelerator has the function of preventing or limiting thecondensation of the liquid in the spray column, and this is done bycreating a fluid flow which draws the gaseous stream and the sprayedliquid emerging from the body 7. Another function of the acceleratingflow is to provide additional energy to the spayed liquid so as toproject it to a greater and variable distance according to the supply offluid flow which is drawn. Another function of the accelerating flow isto provide an insect trap by the projection of pheromone. Anotherfunction of the accelerating flow is to permit the sprayed liquid to bediluted.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the emergence of the diphasic flowfrom the body 7 is aided by the friction of the fluid accelerating flowwhich envelops the diphasic flow. The fluid accelerating flow will beable to be provided by the pump 4, which generates the gaseous stream atthe input of the venturi, and conveyed, on emerging from the body 7, byan auxiliary conduit tapped from the conduit 18 which supplies theventuri 5 with an air stream. The tapping may be effected at any point,preferably before the conduit 18 enters the body 7. Alternatively, andpreferably, the accelerating flow will be provided by an independentpump 37 and conveyed to the body outlet by a conduit 29 which isindependent of the conduit 18 for supplying the venturi. Thus, theaccelerating flow will advantageously be able to be controlled andmonitored independently of the gaseous flow supplying the venturi, witha view to obtaining greater flexibility of use and optimum adjustment ofthe accelerating flow relative to the diphasic flow for betterperformance of the spray.

The supply conduit for the fluid accelerating flow is connected to anozzle 30 fitted, for example, on the nozzle 28, as illustrated in FIG.1. The accelerating flow is provided around the nozzle 28 internally ofthe nozzle 30, so that it envelops the gaseous stream and the sprayedliquid, emerging from the nozzle 28, and this is in order to createmaximum friction of the accelerating flow on the diphasic flow.

Additionally, the nozzle 30 may be provided with an outlet adjuster 31for the accelerating flow, the gaseous stream and the sprayed liquid,the adjuster 31 being able to be mounted on a ball-and-socket joint 32in order to permit the direction of output of the flow to be selected.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the nozzle 28 penetrates inside the bodythrough a projection 56, intended to avoid liquid droplets escapingthrough the opening 21. The projection 56 will be provided, on theexternal surface thereof, with at least one spout 57 to channel theliquid droplets which would be condensed on the projection, and in orderto avoid these droplets being sucked into the flow emerging from thespray. For this purpose, the end face 58 of the projection 56 willpreferably be vertical, the spout being made up of at least one groovesituated in a vertical plane and surrounding the projection, asillustrated in FIG. 1.

Alternatively, the flow accelerator may be produced by using aventuri-type opening 21 (not illustrated), which contains a taperingpart followed by a cylindrical duct part. In this case, the diphasicflow emerging from the spray column is introduced laterally, and in aregularly distributed manner, through lateral ducts, inside thecylindrical part of the upper opening of the venturi-type body, theaccelerating flow being conveyed in an axial manner into the main ductof the venturi-type opening, that is to say into the tapering part.Thus, the diphasic flow penetrates into the outlet opening of the sprayby the combined effects of the suction due to the venturi and thepressure due to the spray column, and it is accelerated towards theoutlet of the spray.

The system illustrated in FIG. 3, which permits the spraying of a liquidinto the atmosphere to be monitored, comprises at least a plurality ofapparatuses 40 according to the invention, as described previously forexample, which permit a liquid to be sprayed into the atmosphere, aplurality of gas sensors 41A, which permit measurement of theconcentration of the liquid sprayed into the atmosphere, and means 42for controlling the operation of the apparatuses 40 in dependence on atleast one predetermined input command and measurements provided by thegas sensors.

The control means 42 advantageously comprise an electronic module 43 forcontrolling and monitoring the apparatuses 40, an electronic powersystem 44 and an electrical energy input 45. The electronic controllingand monitoring module 43 is advantageously provided with permanentsoftware for the emissions of sprayed liquid. The operator enters theinput command or commands, by means of a keyboard 47, into thecontrolling and monitoring module 43, which transmits this input commandor these input commands to the electronic power system 44 which controlsthe operation of the apparatuses 40 relative to this input command orthese input commands, with the help of the sensors 41, more especiallythe gas sensors 41A which send back to the electronic module 43measurements of the concentration of the liquid sprayed into theatmosphere. Thus, the above-described system according to the inventioncan operate automatically. The controlling and monitoring electronicswill advantageously be provided with a display 48 for monitoring theoperation of the system, on which will be able to appear the inputcommands as well as the values from the sensors 41.

The system according to the invention will advantageously be providedwith a portable programming module 46, which permits remote wirelesscommunication with the controlling and monitoring electronics 43 to beensured. The portable programming module 46 will ensure the operationsof the keyboard and of the display of the electronics 43. Thus, anoperator will be able to intervene in the operation of the apparatuses40, by modifying the operational input commands directly from siteswhere the spraying apparatuses 40 are situated.

Advantageously, the system according to the invention will comprisemeans for regulating the supply from the pumps supplying the gaseousstream for the vaporising means of the apparatuses, and means forregulating the supply of fluid from the supply pumps for the flowaccelerator means at the outlet of the apparatuses. The means forregulating the supply from the pumps may, for example, compriserespective solenoids, the opening and closing of which are controlledaccording to a predetermined frequency and by modifying the cyclicalratio.

Advantageously, also, the system according to the invention willcomprise means for monitoring the level of liquid in the container ofthe apparatuses 40, according to any known means, for example anelectric level gauge 41B, in order to stop the operation of theapparatuses, the liquid of which has been totally sprayed, and/or tocarry out, manually or automatically, refilling of the containers withliquid, and/or simply to emit a warning signal.

Advantageously, also, the system according to the invention willcomprise means for heating the liquid to be sprayed, for example bymeans of Peltier effect modules, situated below the container of theapparatuses 40. The system will equally comprise temperature sensors 41Cfor the liquid, in order to monitor and to control the operation of thePeltier effect modules relative to a temperature input command for theliquid. The system according to the invention will advantageouslycomprise one or more base plates, each of which permits at least oneapparatus according to the invention to be supported and maintained, abase plate to which will be connected the heating means as well as oneor more temperature sensors 41C.

Advantageously, also, the system according to the invention willcomprise sensors 41D for the ambient temperature, and sensors 41E whichpermit measurement of the hygrometry.

The sensors 41A to 41E will be connected to the controlling andmonitoring electronics 43, in order to permit, advantageously, anautomatic operation of the system according to the invention relative tothe measurements transmitted by these sensors.

The above-described system according to the invention is particularlysuitable for the controlled diffusion of scents into the atmosphere,which scents may be different according to the apparatuses and theplaces in which these apparatuses are situated.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus which permits a liquid to be sprayedinto the atmosphere, comprising: a container (1), which is intended tocontain said liquid (2) and has at least one outlet (3) for the liquidto be expelled from said container, said outlet being situated abovesaid liquid, means (4) for generating a gaseous stream to expel saidliquid from said container, means (5) for vaporising said liquid in saidgaseous stream, and means (6) for spraying the vaporised liquid,comprising a column which is provided with baffles and is situateddownstream of the vaporising means, wherein said vaporising means (5)and said spraying means (6) are integral with a body (7) capable ofbeing engaged and maintained in a detachable manner in said outlet ofthe container (1), said body (7) including a duct (8) for expelling theliquid from the container, and wherein said column with bafflescomprises a plurality of inclined walls (9) which form baffles on whichsaid vaporised liquid comes to lodge, and in that said inclined wallsform an angle (α), greater than 90°, with a longitudinal flow direction(10) of the stream, so as to avoid a reverse flow of said stream. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that said vaporisingmeans comprise a venturi (5).
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid inclined walls (9) each include a hole (11) for the passage of thestream, the respective holes of two successive walls (9) being offset.4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said hole (11) assumes theform of a venturi.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein twosuccessive said inclined walls (9) are symmetrical relative to a plane(12) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal flow direction (10) ofthe stream.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means (4)for generating a gaseous stream to expel said liquid from said containercomprise a flow accelerator (13) situated downstream of said sprayingmeans (6).
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flowaccelerator comprises a fluid flow, which envelops said gaseous streamand the sprayed liquid downstream of the spraying means (6). 8.Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flow accelerator comprisesa fluid flow conveyed in an axial manner into a venturi-type duct, whichincludes a tapering part followed by a cylindrical part, said gaseousstream and the sprayed liquid being introduced laterally into saidcylindrical part of said venturi-type duct.
 9. System which permits thespraying of a liquid into the atmosphere to be controlled, said systemcomprising: one apparatus (40), which permits a liquid to be sprayedinto the atmosphere according to claim 1, one gas sensor (41A), whichpermits measurement of the concentration of the liquid sprayed into theatmosphere, and means (42) for controlling the operation of saidapparatus in dependence on at least one predetermined input command andon said measurement provided by said gas sensor.
 10. An apparatus forspraying liquid into the atmosphere, the apparatus comprising: acontainer adapted to contain liquid; a pump generating a gaseous streamthat expels liquid from said container; and a body detachably mounted onsaid container, said body comprising a generally tubular column with avaporizer adjacent to said container that vaporizes liquid in thegaseous stream, and a sprayer duct with plural baffles stacked abovesaid vaporizer, said baffles being stacked within said column andarranged so that the vaporized liquid ascends sequentially through saidplural baffles and condensed liquid descends sequentially through saidplural baffles.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said pluralbaffles comprise a plurality of inclined walls that form an angle ofgreater than 90° with a longitudinal axis of said tubular column. 12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said walls are separable and furthercomprising a plate between two of said walls for adjusting a distancebetween said walls.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said pluralbaffles are generally triangular with an apex and a base at oppositeinterior surfaces of said column.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, furthercomprising a hole adjacent to each said apex, and wherein said holes arearranged helically in said column.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein said body comprises two tubular pieces, one of said two piecesbeing detachably mounted to said container and the other of said twopieces being detachably joined to said one piece, said other piececomprising said vaporizer and said sprayer duct.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein said baffles are funnel-shaped.